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Police in America have promised to do everything in their power to find out what happened to a North East woman who was found dead in a hospital stairwell.

Lynne Spalding, who is originally from Peterlee, had been missing for more than two weeks after leaving her hospital bed in San Francisco General Hospital on September 21st. An investigation is now underway to find out how she died and why she wasn't found sooner.

Lynne Spalding, originally from Peterlee, had lived in America for 23 years and was last seen on September 21 at 10.15am.

15 minutes later she disappeared.

She was found by a member of the hospital's engineering staff on a routine check 17 days after she vanished.

The hospital and sheriff's department conducted a search of the premises and Ms Spalding's friends and relatives spent days searching the streets for her.

Ms Spalding's friend David Perry told Sky News: "We are grieving but that grief is leading to an absolute sense that we must find out the truth, not only for Lynne, but to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.

"She was the very best of England and the United States combined.

"Her loss will be felt greatly, not only in her family but across San Francisco because everyone knew Lynne Spalding here."